moonlight

1 of 2

noun

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2

verb

moonlighted; moonlighting

intransitive verb

: to hold a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun

Examples of moonlight in a Sentence

Noun

A figure appeared in the moonlight.

Verb

She is a secretary who moonlights as a waitress on weekends.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From the North Face to the South Face, from the sunlight to the moonlight, from a seed to a tree! —Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

With a new moon earlier this week, the pre-dawn and post-sunset hours are free from strong moonlight. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Verb

Over the years, a surprising number of Hollywood actors have graced stages in the Boise area to moonlight as musicians — with unsurprisingly varied results. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2025

After moonlighting in the music world while working full time as a nurse, Ortiz got her first break hosting a Latin hip-hop show in Las Vegas, then worked stints on music radio stations in Tijuana and San Diego. —Erick Galindo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from moonlighter

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing moonlight

• do a moonlight flit

Rhymes for moonlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

moonlight

1 of 2 noun

moon·​light -ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2 verb

: to work at a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun